treasure valuation committee

The Department for Culture Media and Sport would like to invite applications for a member role on the Treasure Valuation Committee, Medieval Coin Expert.

Introduction

The Treasure Valuation Committee provides independent advice to the Secretary of State on the fair market value of declared Treasure finds from England, Wales and Northern Ireland which museums wish to acquire. Its membership comprises experts on the range of antiquities submitted for valuation, on museums and their collections, and on the law relating to antiquities. In addition, the membership includes an individual drawn from those who represent the interests of finders.

Treasure Valuation Committee members shall:

Value each Treasure find on the basis of willing buyer/willing seller;

Advise the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport where there are grounds for reducing the reward to a finder or a find site owner, or paying no reward at all;

Advise on what is best practice in other aspects of Treasure, including the treatment of finds, and the apportionment of awards between interested parties.

Essential criteria

All Committee members should be able to demonstrate:

A general understanding of Treasure issues;

An ability to assess objectively the value of Treasure finds;

Experience of working as member of a committee or in a similar collegiate situation.

Skills & experience specific to this post:

Knowledge of Medieval and Post-Medieval coins (though persons professing other fields of interest may be considered)

Experience with the commercial antiquities market for these items

Membership of the relevant trade association.

Time Commitment:

There are 8 to 10 Committee meetings a year plus additional time to study papers, exchange opinions with other members by email and telephone etc. The average time commitment is likely to be 2 days per month.

Location of Meetings:

Meetings are held at the British Museum where most of declared Treasure finds are held in safekeeping during the valuation and reward process.

Term of Appointment:

Normally 4 years which can be renewed subject to a satisfactory performance.

Remuneration:

The post is not salaried, but reasonable travel and subsistence is paid.

Start date:

1 October 2010

How to apply

Further details and an application form are available electronically or in hard copy. Please contact:

DCMS promotes an equal opportunities policy. Appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, and these appointments are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation for whether or not you have dependents.

Closing date

Completed forms should be received by 5pm, September 3 2010.

Interviews

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to be held on Monday 20 September 2010.